Sunday, March 4

Fittingly produced by Darryl Cherney, who was also an EARTHFIRST! activist in the car with Judy Bari when her car blew up in 1990 in Oakland, CA, this film delves deep into what happened that day, what followed and why. Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney survived the bombing and were immediately blamed by the FBI for bombing themselves. Weak though defiant, Judy gives her deposition, on camera, just a month before she dies.

This action-packed journey unfolds in the order Judi testified, questioned by civil rights attorney Dennis Cunningham. The archival footage brings the story to life, driven by music from the Earth First! movement. Judi Bari, an eloquent, brash orator with a union background, grows into a powerful environmental leader. Story threads and character arcs intertwine: the lawsuit against the FBI, the complex history of Earth First!, the loggers, the controversy of tree spiking, the political/romantic partnership of Judi and Darryl, and the fate of the ancient redwoods. Who then, did bomb Judy Bari?

“This film is a powerful tribute to Judi Bari and will lead the American public to recognize her as an iconic American environmental hero. Who Bombed Judi Bari? transcends politics and will be appreciated as a well-told story and parable, a must see for film-goers and frankly, all citizens of this country. For those who think this government is waging a war on terror, this well-documented film will make them think again about whose side the government is on.” – Ed Asner, actor/activist

In 1990, director and editor Mary Liz Thomson co-produced and directed Redwood Summer: Where the 90s Begin. She documented the war zones in Central America, directed music videos with Island Records, worked for 60 Minutes, shot footage for the Academy Award winning documentary, Panama Deception, and directed Flashpoint, about the alternative music scene in San Francisco. In 1999 Mary Liz worked in Los Angeles on both indie and studio films (The Flyboys, Small Town Saturday Night, Freddy vs Jason). She has also stayed political – blogging about environmental and political issues for the Huffington Post and Alternet.

Producer Darryl Cherney has been an activist, topical singer -songwriter and organizer in Humboldt County California for 20 years. He helped spearhead the successful campaign to protect the redwoods, including Headwaters Forests, now a national preserve. As creator and president of Environmentally Sound Promotions, the non-profit organization, he has produced five albums of his original songs dedicated to environmental protection. He joined with Judi Bari to create the Redwood Summer 1990 campaign as well as an alliance between timber workers and environmentalists. He is a founding member of the Alliance for Sustainable Jobs and the Environment.